Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-08-05
OBITUARY.
nnr. nr. AIon,o Wrb.lc

Rev Aonzo Webster, D. D., distin.
guished and well known divine Of the NJ
T. church, died in this place at the resi-
dence Of his son, Dr. D. +. Webster, on
Monday Aug LIST, the funeral services tax
ing place on Wednesday last from the resi-.
dence Of DR.. Webster, Rev. A. l.. Cooper.
assisted by Rev. Messrs. Morgan and Smith
ers, officiating.
Rev DIR. Webster was native Of this
state, having been born at Weston, Jan.
9th, 1918. He began to preach at an car
ly age, and in 1897 was admitted into the
travelling connection Of the NJ. r.. church,
aud without interruption he has remained
in the active work Of the ministry for over
30 years, 30 years Of which were spent in
this state where he commanded the best APP
pontments in this conference, and for one
term was presiding elder Of the Springfield
district. For four years he Travelled in
this state as the agent Of the American Ri
BILE society. He has been chaplain Of the
Vermont Senate, and for two years Just
previous to the war was chaplain Of the
state prison Mt Windsor. He was chaplain Of
the 10th and 9th Vt. regiments and just he
fore the close of the war received com
mission in the regular army and was sta
toned at the post hospital at Montpelier
For ten years he owned and edited the Yer
his management became the recognized or
gan of Methodism in this state
In 1865 he was sent by Bishop Baker 10
South Carolina 10 organize the VI. h. church
among the freedmen Of the south, where
he has resided ever since and has accom-
plshed a great and good work in the rel
gious and educational elevation Of the col
ored people. He was the founder and first
president of Clahin University at Orange
burg S. c., and while serving as chaplain
Of the South Carolina Senate was chiefly
instrumental in securing the location Of the
state agricultural college in connection with
this institution. He was at the time of his
death presiding elder Of the Charlotte dis
trict, q years of his ministry having been
spent in the office of presiding elder He
has been Il member of six general confer
ences, having served in 1856 and 1860 as a
delegate from the Vermont conference, and
was well known in Methodist circles through
out the country.
Since his removal To South Carolina he
has been editor and proprietor Of the
Charleston Advocate, the South Eastern
Advocate, and the Methodist Messenger
which last paper he was publishing at Or
angeburg at the time of his death, and
which is the official organ Of the South Car
olina conference He was n ready and ar-
complshed writer, a forcible and eloquent
public speaker, and man Of great execu-
tive ability. He received the degree Of
A. N. from Middlebury college in this state,
and that of ID. from Allegheny college,
Pennsylvania.
DR.. Webster leaves two sons, DR.. ID. =.
Webster Of this place and +. A. Webster,
Esq, leading lawyer and business man
Of Orangeburg, 5. G. His first wife,
Miss Mary Jane Weed of Saxtons River,
lived only about year after her marriage
He afterward married Miss Laura A. Peas
lee of Washington, Orange county, who
was the mother of his children and who
was his companion for over 40 years She
died in this town June 10, 1885, and his re
mains now lie beside her His third wife.
Miss $ .. Purdum Of South Carolina,
whom he married last May, survives him
Dr. Webster has been in i'll health for the
past four months, and only about three
weeks ago left his home in the South to
seek rest and health among the green hills
Of his native state Arriving at Highgate
Springs his condition in few days became
50 alarming that NE was brought here 10
receive the atfectionate care of his kindred
while life remained His disease was a ma
lignant affection of the bowels. 1t is re
called as a singular though fitting circum-
stance that Brattleboro, his last resting
place, should have been also the place where
he filled his first appointment as a preacher
30 years ago.